Shiv Sena continues to demand Ajit Pawar's resignation

Shiv Sena on Monday continued to demand the resignation of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the Legislative Council over his controversial remarks on drought and load-shedding.

Raising the issue in the Upper House, Sena group leader Diwakar Raote said, "Despite the Bombay High Court directions to release water from upstream dams in Ujani dam for the drought-affected in Solapur, Pawar explained how water cannot be released during a public meeting in Indapur (in Pune district)."

During the same function, Pawar had made a comment about urinating in empty dams, after which the Opposition demanded his resignation and stalled proceedings in the state legislature for three days last week. Pawar has apologised for the comment.

Raote said since there was a public outcry on the remarks made by Pawar, a discussion should be held on the issue. However, Chairman of the House, Shivajirao Deshmukh, rejected the motion moved by Raote, who demanded Pawar's resignation.

Adamant on their demand, the Sena legislators, including Raote, Ramdas Kadam, Anil Parab, Vinayak Raut and Neelam Gorhe, sat on the floor of the House demanding the resignation of Pawar. They later took part in the proceedings.